Pasquale, PK and PP firing on all cylinders as IceCaps down Bruins

In terms of the confidence of a goalie, not much can top a 40-save shutout.

For St. John's IceCaps goalie Eddie Pasquale, make it a double cup of confidence, as he started both home games of a series for the first time this season.

There has been a definite goaltender battle between Pasquale and IceCaps netminder Mark Dekanich so far this season, with head coach Keith McCambridge insisting on giving each goalie a game at home, per two-game series.

With the level of play shown by both goalies, the coach hasn't chosen his number one yet.

Both have performed admirably, and both have let in a forgettable goal or two.

On Nov. 25 against the Providence Bruins, Pasquale made the first real nudge of the season towards number-one territory.

After losing in a shootout (3-2 final) to the Bruins on Nov. 24, and letting in a self-admitted bad goal earlier in the game, Pasquale wasn't sure if he would get the start the following night.

But, on Nov. 25, Pasquale was back between the pipes and – not only that-- he made a statement.

“It's good when you get a shutout,” Pasquale said. “It's good, not just for the goalie, it's a team effort. Guys were blocking shots.”

The goalie made 40 saves in the 6-0 win.

Pasquale said he just enjoyed “keeping the team in it and giving them a chance to win.”

This humble tone is nothing new for the 22-year-old netminder.

Despite being the only IceCaps player to have a chant to his name (two, in fact) this season, it's impossible to get a self-glorifying answer from Pasquale.

The series against the Bruins will be a positive note for the IceCaps (not only because it puts the team at .500 again). Pasquale will remember it for getting his first back-to-back games in a series in front of the Mile One faithful.

“Coach gave me a chance to play back-to-back, and seeing our home record it's tough playing back-to-back. But, last night we got a point out of it and we got the second-best thing – out of a possible four points we got three, so you can't complain.”

When asked if Pasquale ever wants a night off, he said: “It's my job not to be tired. Just gotta rest, refuel and be ready every time you get the call.”

In his typical, flying-under-the-radar demeanour Pasquale celebrated his birthday on

on Nov. 20, recording a 3-1 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs, but without any birthday antics. The only way of knowing it was Pasquale's birthday was by checking the game sheet.

The Bruins series could be an important stepping stone for St. John's, who have struggled to string together wins and push ahead of their .500 record. Sunday night, in particular, could be just what the IceCaps needed.

The team scored four goals in the third, went 3-for-6 on the powerplay and killed six penalties (including two separate five-on-threes).

The IceCaps dominated in all the right areas, according to head coach Keith

McCambridge: “I thought the competing for those loose pucks was there. (And) when we went in for battles, we went there with authority (and) when we went to the front of the net, we went there with a purpose."

Another positive the IceCaps can take going forward, is Derek Whitmore finding the scoresheet for the first time this season. Coming off back-to-back 27 and 28-goal seasons, respectively, Whitmore is counted on to score goals for the IceCaps, and this could be the spark he needed.